Cable system

ABSTRACT

A cable system comprising a traction drive for a cable and a stationary container having axial guide means. One end of the cable is directed into the container and fixed to the container with the end portion extending generally circumferentially. The other end of the cable in one form of the system passes over a pulley and a load is attached thereto. In another form, the other end of the cable is trained over the traction drive and fixed thereto to provide a loop hoist. The entire assembly of container and traction drive is mounted on a carriage which is movable along a track.

United States Patent 1 1 Peterson 14 1 Feb. 20, 1973 541 CABLE SYSTEM 3,306,584 2/1967 Menetrier ..2s4 17s.s

[ nvemm: vincem Carl L Peterson Hunting 3,331,566 7/1967 Kltsecman ..242/83 y, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1 Assignw Ameriflm Chain & Cable p 1,519,591 2/1968 France "254 1755 Inc., New York, N.Y. 1,075,950 7/1967 Great Britain 254/1755 [22] Flled: 1971 Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby [21] Appl. No.: 168,438 AttorneyBarnes, Kisselle, Raisch 8: Choate Related [1.8. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No, 873,537, Nov. 3, 1969,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. ..254/I75.7, 242/83, 212/71 [51] Int. Cl. ..B66d [/76 [58] Field of Search ..254/l75.5, 175.7, 150; 242/83, 212/71 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,254,910 9/1941 Richards ..254/75 3,086,754 4/1963 Niederer ..226/45 [57] ABSTRACT A cable system comprising a traction drive for a cable and a stationary container having axial guide means. One end of the cable is directed into the container and fixed to the container with the end portion extending generally circumferentially. The other end of the cable in one form of the system passes over a pulley and a load is attached thereto. in another form, the other end of the cable is trained over the traction drive and fixed thereto to provide a loop hoist. The entire assembly of container and traction drive is mounted on a carriage which is movable along a track.

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INVENTOR. VINCENT CARL J- PETERSON a W1 W M ATTORNEYS PATENTEDFEBZOI975 3,717. 325

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ATTORNEYS PATENTEDFEBZO 1973 SHEET 5 BF 5 INVENTOR. VINCENT CARL J. PETERSON BY fl ww m AT TORNFYS CABLE SYSTEM This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 873,537, filed Nov. 3, 1969, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the use of cables for moving loads such as in winches and hoists, one of the problems is the mass of the cable which when wound on the drum varies the overall load on the driving mechanism. Where rapid movement of payout or haul-in of the cable is desired, this imposes substantial problems and in many cases severely limits the amount of cable that can be handled in a particular system.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a cable system which will efficiently handle cable rapidly; which can handle cable of extremely long length; which obviates the need for any rotating storage drum or container; which does not require any powered level wind control equipment; and which can be adapted to varying conditions with minimum change in structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A cable system comprising a traction drive for a cable and a stationary container having axial guide means. One end of the cable is directed into the container and fixed to the container with the end portion extending generally circumferentially. The other end of the cable in one form of the system passes over a pulley and a load is attached thereto. In another form, the other end of the cable is trained over the traction drive and fixed thereto to provide a loop hoist. The entire assembly of container and traction drive is mounted on a carriage which is movable along a track.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary side elevational view of a winch system embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of winch system.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further modified form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. I, the winch system is shown as being applied on board a ship S and comprises a cable C, one end of which is adapted to support a load as by a hook it]. The cable C is trained over an idler pulley 11 on the end of a boom I2 and passes under an idler pulley 13. The cable C is driven by a traction drive such as a double capstan drive 15 over which it is trained and passes through a conduit 16 axially downwardly through an opening 17 (FIG. 5) of a container 18. The cable C is of the type which is subject to torsional rotation under axial load, such as a preformed and swaged metal wire cable.

By driving the capstan, as presently described, the free end of the cable is paid out or taken in, the other end of the cable being paid out or taken in to the container 18.

As shown in FIG. 3, the double capstan drive 15 comprises parallel grooved sheaves 20, 21 that are rotatably mounted on shafts 22, 23 on a frame 24. Shaft 22 is adapted to be driven by a chain 25, sprocket 26 and sprocket 27 on the shaft of a reduction box 28 which, in turn, is driven by a motor 29, herein shown as a hydraulic motor that is supplied with fluid from a pump assembly 30.

The double capstan 15 further includes radial guide pins 31 and axial guide pins 32 which guide the path of the cable and prevents its movement away from the sheaves 20, 21.

A belt 33 is trained over pulleys 34a, 34b of the shafts 22, 23 to move the sheaves in timed relation.

A pressure roll 35 applies pressure to the portion of the cable that is extending toward the container 18 while the pressure roll 36 applies pressure at the point of the cable which extends toward the load. Each pressure roller is mounted on a plunger 37, 38 that is yieldingly urged radially inwardly by a spring 39, 40, respectively. The pressure rollers function to isolate any forces on the free ends of the cable from the portions of the cable that are wound around the sheaves 20, 21 as well as to cooperate with the sheaves to provide the force for pushing or pulling the cable.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the container 18 is generally cylindrical and stationary. The end of the cable within the container is fixed as at E to the base 41 of the container so that the end portion extends generally tangentially adjacent the peripheral wall 42 of the container. The fastening can be such that the cable may rotate about its axis.

A frusto-conical deflector 43 is provided at the center of the base 41 and the cable that engages the upper surface 44 thereof and is thereby generally directed inwardly of the container or outwardly depending upon the direction of motion of the cable. Deflector 43 includes a generally horizontal lip 430 at the upper end thereof which prevents the cable from rising along the surface of the deflector. The external surfaces of deflector 43 are preferably coated with a friction material such as rubber to provide a retarding force on the cable when the cable is being removed form the container.

In operation, energization of the motor 29 will cause the sheaves to rotate paying the cable in and out. When the cable is being paid in, it follows a spiral path and builds up against the bottom wall 41 and peripheral wall 42.

It has been found that in the aforementioned manner cable can be paid out and hauled in rapidly without tangling.

Since the only portion of the cable that is being moved at any instant is that on the sheaves and extending outwardly to the load and to the container, the mass that is being accelerated or braked by the operation of the motor 29 is limited. Accordingly, it is possible to more efficiently handle the cable with lesser power. Furthermore, the same drive can be utilized for handling cables of varying length.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus is utilized for hauling in or paying out a vertical load. As in the previous form of the invention, the cable C is trained over a double capstan 50 and its other end extends downwardly through an axial guide 51 into a generally cylindrical container 52 having a central guide member 53. In this form, the pressure rollers 54, 55 are mounted on levers 56, 57 that are yicldingly urged against the sheaves by springs 58, 59. The motor for driving the double capstan 50 is enclosed in a drive housing 60.

As in the previous form of the invention, operation of the motor will cause the double capstan to pay out or haul in the cable, the cable being stored in the container 52.

In FlGS. 7 and 8, the invention is shown as applied to a hoist wherein a hook or a similar device is supported by a loop of cable. In FIG. 7, the hoist is fixed on a beam 61 and comprises a double capstan drive 62 with pressure rollers as in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 2. One end of the cable C is fixed to the frame 63 as at 64 while the other end of the cable extends through a conduit 65 into axial guide 66 upwardly into cylindrical container 67. As in the previous forms of the invention, the end of the cable is fixed to the base 68 of the container adjacent the periphery and extending generally circumferentially so that when the cable is paid out or hauled in, it accumulates along the base and side wall of the container. A plurality of loops of cable may be used for the hoist.

In the form shown in FIG. 7, paying out or hauling in the cable will increase the length of the loop L formed by the winch.

The form of the invention shown in FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 except that the frame 70 of the hoist is provided with wheels 71 that extend along a beam 72. In this form, the container 73 is positioned below so that the end of the cable is fed downwardly into the container.

I claim:

I. The combination comprising a traction drive means;

a cable driven by said drive means,

said cable being of the type which tends to move in a torsional direction under axial load,

pressure means isolating the forces on one end of said cable from the forces on the other end of said cable and providing the force for pushing and pulling the cable,

a stationary container,

means defining an axial guide opening into said stationary container for engaging and guiding said cable axially into and out of said container,

said container having peripheral portions thereof defining a generally annular cable contacting surface, means for fixing one end of said cable within said container with the end portion of the cable extending generally circumferentially of the container,

said cable extending through said axial guide opening,

the other end of said cable extending to a load,

such that as the traction drive means is operated in one direction, the cable is hauled in and is progressively moved solely by the combined action of the traction means and the cable through said axial guide opening, engaged and guided by said axial guide opening into said container and is progressively laid solely by the action of the traction means and the cable in a spiral path into loops in the stationary container, said axial guiding and fixing of one end of said cable combining to define an untangled mass of cable in the container and such that as the traction drive means is operated in the opposite direction, the cable is paid out and is progressively moved solely by the com-bined action of the traction means and the engagement of the cable with the axial guide opening outwardly without tangling.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 including a pulley over which the other end of said cable extends,

the other end of said cable being free to support a load.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the other end of said cable extends from said traction drive means to define a loop for supporting a load.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 including a support for said drive means and container,

and a track along which said support is movable.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said axial guide opening is on the lower end of the container.

6. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said axial guide opening is on the upper end of the container.

7. A hoist comprising a capstan drum having a peripheral groove,

a cable wound around said drum,

said cable being of the type which tends to move in a torsional direction under axial load,

pressure roller means isolating the forces on one end of said cable from the forces on the other end of said cable,

a stationary container,

means defining an axial guide opening into said stationary container for engaging and guiding said cable axially into and out of said container,

said container having peripheral portions thereof defining a generally annular cable contacting surface, means for fixing one end of said cable within said container with the end portion of the cable extending generally circumferentially of the container,

said cable extending through said axial guide openings,

the other end of said cable extending from said capstan means to define a loop between the capstan means and said other end for supporting a load thereby forming a hoist,

such that as the drum is operated in one direction,

the cable is hauled in and is progressively moved solely by the combined action of the drum and the cable through said axial guide means, engaged and guided by said axial guide opening into said container and is progressively laid solely by the action of the drum and the cable in a spiral path into loops in the stationary container, said axial guiding and fixing of one end of said cable combining to define an untangled mass of cable in the container and such that as the drum is operated in the opposite direction, the cable is paid out and is progressively moved solely by the combined action support for said capstan means and container,

and a track along which said support is movable.

9. The combination comprising a capstan drum having a peripheral groove thereon,

a cable wound around said drum,

said cable being of the type which tends to move in a torsional direction under axial load,

pressure means isolating the forces on one end of said cable from the forces on he other end of said cable and providing the force for pushing and pulling the cable,

a stationary container,

means defining an axial guide opening into said stationary container for engaging and guiding said cable axially into and out of said container,

said container having peripheral portions thereof defining a generally annular cable contacting surface,

means for fixing one end of said cable within said container with the end portion of the cable extending generally circumferentially of the container,

said cable extending through said axial guide openings,

the other end of said cable extending to a load,

such that as the drum is operated in one direction, the cable is hauled in and is progressively moved solely by the combined action of the drum and the cable through said axial guide means, engaged and guided by said axial guide opening into said container and is progressively laid solely by the action of the drum and the cable in a spiral path into loops in the stationary container, said axial guiding and fixing of one end of said cable combining to define an untangled mass of cable in the container and such that as the drum is operated in the opposite direction, the cable is paid out and is progressively moved solely by the combined action of the drum and the engagement of the cable with the axial guide opening outwardly without tangling. 

1. The combination comprising a traction drive means; a cable driven by said drive means, said cable being of the type which tends to move in a torsional direction under axial load, pressure means isolating the forces on one end of said cable from the forces on the other end of said cable and providing the force for pushing and pulling the cable, a stationary container, means defining an axial guide opening into said stationary container for engaging and guiding said cable axially into and out of said container, said container having peripheral portions thereof defining a generally annular cable contacting surface, means for fixing one end of said cable within said container with the end portion of the cable extending generally circumferentially of the container, said cable extending through said axial guide opening, the other end of said cable extending to a load, such that as the traction drive means is operated in one direction, the cable is hauled in and is progressively moved solely by the combined action of the traction means and the cable through said axial guide opening, engaged and guided by said axial guide opening into said container and is progressively laid solely by the action of the traction means and the cable in a spiral path into loops in the stationary container, said axial guiding and fixing of one end of said cable combining to define an untangled mass of cable in the container and such that as the traction drive means is operated in the opposite direction, the cable is paid out and is progressively moved solely by the com-bined action of the traction means and the engagement of the cable with the axial guide opening outwardly without tangling.
 1. The combination comprising a traction drive means; a cable driven by said drive means, said cable being of the type which tends to move in a torsional direction under axial load, pressure means isolating the forces on one end of said cable from the forces on the other end of said cable and providing the force for pushing and pulling the cable, a stationary container, means defining an axial guide opening into said stationary container for engaging and guiding said cable axially into and out of said container, said container having peripheral portions thereof defining a generally annular cable contacting surface, means for fixing one end of said cable within said container with the end portion of the cable extending generally circumferentially of the container, said cable extending through said axial guide opening, the other end of said cable extending to a load, such that as the traction drive means is operated in one direction, the cable is hauled in and is progressively moved solely by the combined action of the traction means and the cable through said axial guide opening, engaged and guided by said axial guide opening into said container and is progressively laid solely by the action of the traction means and the cable in a spiral path into loops in the stationary container, said axial guiding and fixing of one end of said cable combining to define an untangled mass of cable in the container and such that as the traction drive means is operated in the opposite direction, the cable is paid out and is progressively moved solely by the com-bined action of the traction means and the engagement of the cable with the axial guide opening outwardly without tangling.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 including a pulley over which the other end of said cable extends, the other end of said cable being free to support a load.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the other end of said cable extends from said traction drive means to define a loop for supporting a load.
 4. The combination set forth in claim 3 including a support for said drive means and container, and a track along which said support is movable.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said axial guide opening is on the lower end of the container.
 6. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said axial guide opening is on the upper end of the container.
 7. A hoist comprising a capstan drum having a peripheral groove, a cable wound around said drum, said cable being of the type which tends to move in a torsional direction under axial load, pressure Roller means isolating the forces on one end of said cable from the forces on the other end of said cable, a stationary container, means defining an axial guide opening into said stationary container for engaging and guiding said cable axially into and out of said container, said container having peripheral portions thereof defining a generally annular cable contacting surface, means for fixing one end of said cable within said container with the end portion of the cable extending generally circumferentially of the container, said cable extending through said axial guide openings, the other end of said cable extending from said capstan means to define a loop between the capstan means and said other end for supporting a load thereby forming a hoist, such that as the drum is operated in one direction, the cable is hauled in and is progressively moved solely by the combined action of the drum and the cable through said axial guide means, engaged and guided by said axial guide opening into said container and is progressively laid solely by the action of the drum and the cable in a spiral path into loops in the stationary container, said axial guiding and fixing of one end of said cable combining to define an untangled mass of cable in the container and such that as the drum is operated in the opposite direction, the cable is paid out and is progressively moved solely by the combined action of the drum and the engagement of the cable with the axial guide opening outwardly without tangling.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 7 including a support for said capstan means and container, and a track along which said support is movable. 